Hydrologic Cycle Essay example -- essays research papers

HYDROLOGIC CYCLE The hydrologic cycle is a constant bm of water system above, on, and below the earths heighten. It is a cycle that replenishes ground water supplies. It begins as water vaporizes into the atmosphere from vegetation, soil, lakes, rivers, snowfields and oceans-a process called evapotranspiration. As the water vapor rises it condenses to configuration clouds that return water to the land through precipitation rain, snow, or hail. heedlessness falls on the earth and either percolates into the soil or flows across the ground. Usually it does both. When precipitation percolates into the soil it is called infiltration when it flows across the ground it is called surface run off. The amount of precipitation that infiltrates, versus the amount that flows across the surface, varies depending on factors much(prenominal) as the amount of water already in the soil, soil composition, vegetation cover and degree of slope. Surface runoff eventually reaches a pelt or other su rface water body where it is again evaporated into the atmosphere. Infiltration, however, moves below the force of gravity through the soil. If soils are dry, water is absorbed by the soil until it is thoroughly wetted. Then excess infiltration begins to move late downward to the water table. Once it reaches the water table, it is called ground water. Ground water continues to move downward and laterally through the subsurface. Eventually it discharges through hillside springs or seeps into streams, lakes, and the ocean...